Project Description

Renewable Energy (RE) is expected to be one of the main solutions for clean power supplyand covering the shortage in the electrical power as the case of many countries in MENA like Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt.

Smart Grids (SG) are expected to be a key enabler in the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the electrical networks. Better understanding of the SG concept enables faster and more sustainable development of the RE and SG market. However, this knowledge field is underrepresented in the existing technically overwhelmed teaching curricula at universities and hence, is considered a deficit that should be reduced.

The importance of this project comes from tackling this problem by integrating the SG and the methods of integrating RES to electrical grid in RE teaching programmes offered at HEIs in beneficiary countries.

In this context, this project aims at developing and implementing interdisciplinary teaching modules and training courses on SG and integration of RES to electrical networks on university teaching level. While the teaching materials target graduate and postgraduate students, the training courses are designed to train the teachers involved in the process. The teaching modules will be prepared by the project partners in close cooperation with industrial stockholders. A training center will also be established in beneficiary universities to facilitate the development of the workforce currently working in the field of RE. One of this project outputs will be the curricula of this center. In the implementation phase, the modules will be incorporated in existing curricula at partner universities and some special modules will be also offered in the training center for the industrial stockholders. In a following step, these modules will be disseminated through targeted e-learning.

The expected impact of this project is mainly making the teaching of SG and RES at participating universities more comprehensive and to enhance the workforces’ knowledge level currently involved in RE market about the application of SG.

Main objective

The main objective of the project is to provide a high quality education for MENA students in the key aspects of Smart grid concept with the emphasis on its application and technology, therefore enabling them to take responsible, creative, challenging and stimulating posts in policy making, industry or research in this targeted field.

Specific objectives

Introduce the topic of Smart grid and grid integrated systems to the curricula of undergraduate and Postgraduates programmes in different MENA and EU universities

Deepen the understanding of the smart grid projects and grid connected system among Communities, working force and university renewable energy faculty members and graduates in the MENA region.

Improve the quality of renewable energy integration and smart grid courses offered in the partner Universities.

Develop and implement online teaching modules in the field of smart grid and integration of Renewable energy sources for a wider dissemination

Enhance cooperation amongst Jordanian, Moroccan and Syrian Universities on one hand and these with EU Universities on the other hand in the field of smart grid technology and grid connected systems.

Build the capacities of the university teaching staff in partner universities through training Workshops and exchange activities.

Establish a teaching and training center to offer short‐courses for workforces in energy industry and tailored education programs

Funding

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the commission cannot be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.